Busted Racquet

Wimbledon final will be played indoors for first time in history

A Wimbledon final will be finished under the roof for the first time in history after a torrential downpour in the third set of the men's final between Roger Federer and Andy Murray forced officials to close Centre Court's retractable roof.

Federer is going for his record-tying seventh Wimbledon title, while Murray is seeking to become the first British man to win at the All England Club since 1936. Federer led a service game 40-0 at 4-6, 7-5, 1-1 when a heavy rain came. Officials put out the tarp covering the court for five minutes before deciding that the roof should be closed. It will remain closed for the rest of the match.

The six-time Wimbledon champion had shifted the momentum of the match minutes before the closure, coming from behind to steal the second set 7-5. Murray had won 15 of his last 16 service points and was two points away from sending the set to a tiebreak when Federer reeled off four straight points.

This is the ninth time the roof has been closed during the fortnight, the most times ever in its brief, four-year history.

Federer and Murray returned to the court exactly 40 minutes after they were sent off the court.